RB Exclusive Interview: ProbCause Ignites His Sound With His New ‘Heatwave’ EP

ProbCause is no stranger to pushing boundaries. From his roots in Chicago’s underground hip hop scene to his collaborations with heavyweights like GRiZ, LSDREAM, and Wooli, he has carved out a sound that is equal parts lyrical, funky, and bass-heavy. With his new EP, Heatwave, out now and his first official DJ tour on the horizon, I caught up with him over email to talk about his musical journey, the inspiration behind his latest project, and what fans can expect when they see him live.

When asked about one memory from his Chicago come-up that still fuels him on stage, ProbCause reflected on his early days performing at open mics. “Doing open mics and how I lived for those nights, cause it was my first opportunity to start performing the ideas that I was writing,” he shared. That energy, rooted in authenticity and self-expression, still drives his performances today.

If Heatwave were a movie scene, ProbCause had the perfect visual. “The scene when the Tune Squad starts beating the Monstars in Space Jam,” he laughed. The comparison fits. The EP carries that same triumphant, larger-than-life energy that turns the tide and gets everyone on their feet.

Known for blending sharp lyricism with heavy bass and funky textures, ProbCause explained that his creative process changes from track to track. “Every song is a little different. Sometimes I’ll be walking to get coffee or on a plane and have an idea for a cool hook or pre-drop. Other times, someone will send me a beat, and the idea will stem from the energy of that beat.” It’s this flexibility that allows his sound to stay fresh while still feeling unmistakably his.

For fans wondering what a ProbCause studio session looks like, it might not be what you’d expect. “Ha! This is totally a ‘What people think vs. reality’ situation,” he admitted. “I’ve definitely been a part of lots of crazy late-night party studio sessions over the years, but these days it’s more incense, dim lighting, and coffee vibes. I also really love early morning studio sessions the most.” The image of calm focus contrasts the chaos of the touring world, proving that inspiration doesn’t always need a party to thrive.

When he hits a creative wall, ProbCause has a refreshingly simple trick. “Freestyle on the mic until a good or interesting idea happens! Or go for a walk lol,” he said. “Not a sound design or production tip, but it’s a great cure for all writer’s block.”

If you’ve ever seen ProbCause perform, you know he’s a powerhouse on stage, moving between rapping, hyping the crowd, and sometimes even jumping into it. “I love going out into the crowd and rapping,” he said. That connection with fans is a major reason his live sets always feel spontaneous and alive.

This year marks his first official EDM tour, a big milestone for an artist who’s been constantly evolving. “The DJ sets are so new that I’m really excited for fans to experience those,” he shared. It’s a bold new chapter that blends his hip hop roots with the pulsating energy of dance music.

As for Heatwave itself, the project grew naturally as ProbCause explored new sounds. “I’ve been working on a lot of tunes for other people’s albums and projects. These were the first four songs that I kept for myself and my own project. I knew I wanted it to have multiple flavors from heavier bass vibes to more soulful hip hop vibes, and put that together in a cohesive way.”

The first track he made for the EP was “Hands Up” with Noetika, which set the tone for everything that followed. “The idea was kind of a cap off to all the music I’ve dropped the last two years. The first song I made was Hands Up with Noetika, which really felt like an intro to a project and just built off that.”

When it comes to balancing vocals and production, his recent DJ sets have influenced his instincts. “I think the DJ sets have really helped me with that even more,” he explained. “When I’m putting these sets together, I have a much better sense of how to set up the vocals to feel like larger intentional moments.”

Lyrically, ProbCause doesn’t shy away from honesty. One line from Heatwave that means a lot to him might fly under the radar for casual listeners: “I just wanna say it’s okay if you feel some kinda way but jealousy the thief of joy don’t let it mess your day up.” It’s a small but powerful reminder to keep perspective. A message that fits the emotional undercurrent of the EP.

When asked for a guilty pleasure from his personal playlist, he confessed, “Idk if it’s guilty, but Kacey Musgraves and Bad Bunny are by far my two most-streamed artists.” A testament to his wide-ranging tastes and willingness to blur genres.

Finally, I asked what he hopes fans feel after listening to Heatwave, and his answer summed up the project perfectly: “Damn! That gave me all the flavors that I was craving!”

Heatwave is exactly that, a melting pot of rhythm, emotion, and genre-bending brilliance that captures everything fans love about ProbCause. Whether you’ve been following him since his hip hop days or you’re discovering him through his EDM sets, this EP is the sound of an artist who keeps evolving without ever losing his spark.

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